Which car became the first production passenger car with a diesel engine, introduced in 1936?

The Mercedes-Benz 260 D became the first production passenger car with a diesel engine when it was introduced in 1936.

Mercedes-Benz developed the 260 D from the W21-series sedan and equipped it with a 2.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. The model was aimed especially at taxi operators, for whom diesel fuel’s economy could offset the car’s slower acceleration and greater noise.

The 260 D entered production after earlier experimental and commercial diesel vehicles had already appeared, including trucks and buses. That distinction matters: it was not the first diesel-powered road vehicle overall, but it is widely recognized as the first series-production diesel passenger car.

Mercedes-Benz continued refining diesel passenger cars after the 260 D. Its later diesel models helped make compression-ignition engines increasingly common in European taxis, family cars, and long-distance vehicles.